COURTESY OF HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK
Western yellowjacket wasps have apparently proliferated more than normal this summer at Haleakala National Park. They are aggressive and can sting more than once in an attack. Shown here is a yellowjacket queen.

Maui park on lookout for aggressive wasps

Haleakala has seen an increase in the alien pests, which can be dangerous

WAILUKU » Haleakala National Park officials are warning visitors to watch out for an increasing number of alien wasps that are aggressive and can sting more than once in an attack.

The Western yellowjacket wasps are not the typical laid-back species that build paper nests on the eaves of houses.

They are attracted to water and eat meat and sugar. They burrow in the ground, and if someone happens to step on their burrow, they will come out in swarms, national park biologist Raina Kaholoaa said.

"This species is an aggressive species. They're more likely to sting than the paper wasps," she said.

Kaholoaa said the number of Western yellowjacket wasps is exceptional this summer, and at least two visitors have been stung -- one in the vicinity of the visitor entry station and another while at a lookout below the visitor center.

Extremely high numbers have been seen at the base of Sliding Sands trail at the trail junction to Halemauu Trail and at Kapalaoa Cabin.

She said the Western yellowjacket, found in Oregon and Washington state, rise in numbers from August to October at Haleakala National Park.

Park officials recommend against eating food or drinking soda or juice if the wasps are nearby.

Officials said the wasps are also attracted to scents, including perfumes, colognes and sunscreen lotions. The wasps are carnivores and are attracted to the scent of meat.